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I make it two steps before she blurts, “I just don’t want you getting tangled up with the wrong people. Not when you’re so close to making your dreams come true.”
Tangled up with the wrong people?
I almost snort.
“I ran into Jasper yesterday,” she continues.
When I swing around, she inches closer before reaching out to comb her fingers through my hair in a way that’s reminiscent of my childhood.
“He’s so hurt by your breakup. He just wants the chance to talk with you, maybe work everything out.”
Unable to stop myself, I roll my eyes.
Hard.
“He’s lying to you.”
Her mouth falls open. “Why would you say something like that? You should have seen him. He was practically in tears.”
Tears my ass.
“Because it’s the truth. You’ve never been able to see past the façade Jasper projects. A handsome, rich, popular football player whose father is mayor of this town. He’s not nice, Mom. And he’s certainly not a good person. You need to trust me on that.”
Her eyes are so wide, they’re in imminent danger of falling out of her head. “I really don’t know what’s gotten into you lately. You’re not the same sweet girl you once were and it’s disheartening.”
My face scrunches, contorting with shock. “Are you being serious?”
“I certainly am. You’ve been so different lately. And I think it has everything to do with that boy. He’s been a problem since he arrived. If you think I’m going to sit idly by and allow you to get involved with that low life, you’re mistaken. You might be eighteen years old, but you still live under my roof, young lady. And you’ll follow my rules. You’re done with Austin Hawthorne.”
It’s so tempting to fire back with her affair, but I keep my lips clamped shut so I won’t say something hurtful we’ll both end up regretting. It’s only when I swing around and head to the door that I realize that I’m shaking from head to toe.
“Delilah! We’re not done discussing this.”
She’s wrong about that.
It takes every ounce of self-restraint not to slam the door. Anger and resentment churn through me, building like a storm, as I stalk to the G-Wagon idling in the drive and drop onto the seat.
Austin throws a questioning glance in my direction as I stare straight ahead. My teeth are clenched so tightly that it feels like they’ll shatter into a million pieces.
“Rough morning?”
“Yup.” I pop the P at the end but refuse to say anything more. I’m trapped between warring factions, unable to do anything about it.
He pulls out of the drive. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Are you?” A snort escapes before I flick my gaze in his direction. “Because you’re part of the problem.”
“How so?”
Seriously?
“For one, the only reason we’re together is because you’re using me to get back at my ex. And two, Jasper has been filling my mother’s head with a bunch of bullshit and now she’s pissed off and concerned about me spending time with you.”
“Bad influence, huh?” he says with a smirk as if he’s proud of the designation.
It’s tempting to smack him.
“She’s afraid you’ll corrupt me.”
